Orientation: Your First Week
No matter what orientation program your organization offers (or doesn’t), it is your responsibility to gather the information needed to get up to speed quickly and make a contribution early on in your employment.
Take notes! You won’t be able to remember everything you were told on those first few days.
Before you start work, find out about:
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When, where and to whom you should report
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Your working hours
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Parking locations; inquire about parking passes if applicable
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Where to obtain relevant keys and the protocol for security procedures
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Required documentation to bring that might be required (i.e. a void cheque for payroll)
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What to wear; is there a dress code?
On your first day, find out about:
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Location of lunchroom, microwave, refrigerator, washrooms, mailboxes
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When to take designated breaks
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How to treat overtime or lieu time
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How to use telephone system (how to record your outgoing message and retrieve messages)
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Information about relevant codes, passwords for computers and/or printers
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The pay schedule and process for submitting timesheets and attendance
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Office roles (introduce yourself to your colleagues, ask for an organizational flow chart if in a large company)
During your first week:
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Continue to introduce yourself to others to get a bigger picture of how the organization functions
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Start to learn company lingo and customs
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Find out about projects that are in process that you will be involved in
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Clarify questions about your portfolio, your responsibilities and/or committee involvement
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Increase knowledge of the company (values, mission, customers, competitors, etc.)
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Find out about HR procedures (vacation scheduling, calling in sick...)
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Learn where the supplies are and the procedure for getting them
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Make a list of needed extensions, phone numbers and emails that you will need in your daily activities